ALBUM REVIEW: Power Up – AC/DC

What a tumultuous few years it’s been for AC/DC. From Brian Johnson losing his hearing and being replaced by Axl Rose for a couple of years, drummer Phil Rudd arrested and detained at home for drug and murder conspiracy offences, bassist Cliff Williams announcing his retirement and departure and, of course, the tragic passing of Malcolm Young from dementia, until six weeks ago it seemed like the world’s biggest rock and roll band would soon be laid to rest; oh how wrong we all were. At the end of September the lights were switched on again, this time in red neon. Johnson was back. Rudd was back. Williams was back. The lineup that had recorded 2014’s Rock or Bust had returned and, even better, they had a new album to boot as well. Out today, Power Up (stylised as PWR UP) is the seventeenth album by AC/DC and released via Columbia and Sony Music Australia.

Forty-seven years into their career and, whilst much has changed in the world, the AC/DC blueprint for music really hasn’t; they practically invented the phrase ‘Don’t fix what ain’t broken’. As such, let’s get the obvious out the way; Power Up is most definitely an AC/DC album. They haven’t utilised acoustic guitars, pianos or composed a progressive jazz opera, they’ve given us another dozen songs in that indefatigable, hard rock style that has given the world some of the greatest riffs and starting points for pretty much any band formed after 1973. But here’s the bonus – this isn’t just an AC/DC album. It’s a brilliant AC/DC album.

In fact, from start to finish, it’s genuinely possible that this is the finest work to bear the Acca-Dacca name since 1990’s fantastic The Razor’s Edge. And sweet lord above it’s so good to hear Brian Johnson back where he belongs. Recovering from hearing loss is one thing, to come back and sound just as good as he has in recent years is even better and as Realize kicks in with the familiar swagger and Angus Young-led power chords, it’s like sinking back into an old sofa that, whilst having new leather, retains the crevice of a backside that’s worn itself in over the best part of half a century.

Along with Realize opening the album, lead single Shot in the Dark is thrown out early and the blues-y, cock of the walk tempo is full of energy, as if AC/DC‘s members have each taken a shot glass of youth elixir. Through the Mists of Time opens with a rumbling bassline from Cliff Williams, whose departure would have been evident if he were not a part of this and Demon Fire has ZZ TOP vibes running all the way through it. Even when the pace drops on a track like No Man’s Land, it’s no less impactful and harks back in feel to other songs in the same vein like Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution and Night Prowler. How much Stevie Young, the nephew of Angus and Malcolm, has contribute himself is unknown, but the rhythm guitarist has grown into the role he took up in the wake of his uncle’s illness and now feels just as much of the tapestry as anyone else. And, of course, the simple yet regimental power of Rudd behind the kit ties everything together as beautifully as it ever did, ensuring that every second of the forty-plus minute run time is tight and secure.

Put simply, we don’t need another AC/DC album. We’d all like one, of course, but if Power Up turns out to be their final effort, what a way to go out. For a band in such turmoil just a year or so ago, they’ve pulled the rabbit out of the hat again and delivered arguably their best album for thirty goddamn years. It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll, and AC/DC are still firmly on that mountain summit as they have been for five whole decades.

Rating: 9/10

Power Up is out now via Columbia/Sony Music Australia.

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